Djokovic whips Rublev; meets Paul in semis

MELBOURNE: Nine-time champion Novak Djokovic reached the Australian Open semi-finals, outclassing fifth seed Andrey Rublev in the quarter-finals at Melbourne Park on Wednesday.

The 35-year-old Serb was simply ruthless in his 6-1, 6-2, 6-4 demolition of the Russian.

The fourth seed, who again had his left thigh strapped, will take on American Tommy Paul in the last four on Friday.

The 25-year-old Paul, ranked No. 35, ended 20-year-old compatriot Ben Shelton's surprise run with a 7-6(8-6), 6-3, 5-7, 6-4 victory to make his first major semi-final.

Greek third seed Stefanos Tsitsipas will meet Russian Karen Khachanov in the other semi-final, also on Friday.

Djokovic, the only major champion in the men's quarter-finals, is now favourite for the title as he chases a record-equalling 22nd Grand Slam.

In defeating Rublev, he registered his 26th consecutive win at Melbourne Park, equalling the Open-era streak of American Andre Agassi.

It marked the 44th time that Djokovic reached the last four at the Grand Slams, leaving him six ahead of Rafael Nadal and only two behind his other great rival and 20-times major champion Roger Federer.

He targeted Rublev's forehand and second serve with venomous returns in windy conditions on Rod Laver Arena and went ahead 3-1 in the first set after the Russian fifth seed double-faulted on break-point and pulled away from there.

After taking the lead in the match with a brilliant backhand crosscourt winner, Djokovic showed how hard he is to beat on the grandest stage despite a strapped thigh due to a hamstring issue after the fourth seed broke in the fifth game of the second set.

He played exquisitely to save a break-point in the next game and let out a huge roar before going on to double his advantage in the contest after a frustrated Rublev unloaded on his coach in the stands following another double fault.

Djokovic pounced early in the next set with Rublev appearing bereft of ideas and a seventh quarter-final defeat at a major looming, as the former number one closed out a convincing win on serve.

Earlier in the day, Paul became the first American man to reach the Australian Open semi-finals since Andy Roddick in 2009.

Paul held his nerve in the big points and stood up well to his 20-year-old opponent's blistering serve to reach his first Grand Slam semi. He joins John Isner and Frances Tiafoe as the only active American men to have reached the last four of a major. 

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